Fencing “An Ancient Art, A Modern Sport”

INTRODUCING THE SPORT TO PARENTS

The sport of fencing is a uniquely classic sport. It has history, drama, romance, style, art, plus all the advantages of an active physically demanding sport. Mentally it is mind consuming, allowing not a moment's break. Fencing is also fast and athletic, a far cry from the choreographed bouts you see on film or on the stage. Instead of swinging from a chandelier or leaping from balconies, you will see two fencers performing an intense dance on 1.5 – 2 meters wide and 14 meters long foot strip. The movement is so fast that touches are scored electrically - more like Star Wars than Errol Flynn.

Fencing is an exciting, wonderful, and productive sport that will give your child realistic life experiences, maturity, and physical and mental training for life! Come prepared, enjoy the process, and encourage your child to keep trying. The mind is the most powerful weapon that any fencer can wield. The ability to control the mind and your body’s response to a situation is fundamental. Imagine standing there facing your opponent who is holding a sword just like you. Suddenly they dart toward you with the tip of that sword pointed at your chest. What do you do? How do you react? Tell your feet to retreat, your hand adjusts your grip on your sword tightly to block the oncoming attack, you tell your mind to stop racing and focus on what it’s going to take to stop this attack, and what you're going to do after that? As a fencer, you will learn to have the self-control over your body to react to these actions all at the same time. (Now we're talking multi-tasking!) If you compare this to other sports where the child merely tries to kick or hit the ball, the strategy and self-control is an afterthought. In fencing, self-control and body-control come first. And most importantly, it’s what keeps you from getting hit by that attacker. By fencing, your child will gain greater self-control and increase concentration. Soon enough, this self-control will begin to extend to other aspects of their life.

YOUTH PROGRAM

The youth program of the Penang Amateur Fencing Association (PAFA) is designed to provide an introduction for your child to one of the most fascinating, exciting and safest sports. Fencing develops discipline, balance, coordination, and sportsmanship. Fencing helps the youth develop quicker reflexes and an ability to make lighting fast analyses of tactical situations.

The youth fencing program has developed a very large foundation for our pyramid of fencers, the apex of which cannot be higher than the base is wide, meaning the wider the base the higher we can reach. Fencing is fast gaining as an alternative to the all-time favorite sport in Penang and Malaysia. There is no predetermined method to pre-select great fencers so all fencers must be given equal chance and attention. Children develop at different mental, emotional and physical rates and their goals change accordingly. There are those who exhibit no talent during their first four or five years of fencing and then become dynamite competitors, while others may show the competitive spark from the first day.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS

There are many benefits to participating in youth fencing. Children learn good sportsmanship and self-discipline. They learn to compete independently as well as for a team; they learn to enjoy winning and profit from defeats, while becoming physically fit and healthy; and, most importantly, they learn to make complex decisions, analyze problems, and think fast. These ideals help children reach their potential in many areas other than fencing.

Remember that the primary motivating factor for entering sports, particularly among adolescents, is the desire to have fun. We will help you assist them in reaching this goal. Don't forget, Olympic Champions have fun too.

RIGHTS OF YOUNG ATHLETES

We believe youth have the right to:

be treated with dignity by all involved.

fence as a child and not as an adult

fence regardless of skill level

fence in a safe and healthy environment

have proper preparation for fencing

have qualified adult leadership

share in leadership in fencing

have equal opportunity to strive for success

have fun fencing

Lim Peng Jin PJK Hon. Secretary, Persatuan Lawan Pedang Pulau Pinang State Coach, Majlis Sukan Negeri Pulau Pinang Development Coach, National Sports Council. Malaysia Development Coach, Malaysian Fencing Federation

Website: www.penangfencing.50webs.com